Games

Best Open-World PC Games

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2 months ago

November 6, 2024

The 15 Best Open World PC Games Ranked featured image

Contrary to popular belief, open-world games are not a genre but rather a game mechanic. Open-world games are characterized by vast landmasses without loading screens. The freedom of exploration provides an uncanny feeling like you are immersed in the game. Open-world games can be RPGs (role-playing games), third-person adventures, or even racing games.

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As a gaming platform, PC has always stood out for its customization and ease of upgrading. The ability to upgrade a computer with the latest specifications for unparalleled power is a liberating feeling. The PC scene has the biggest library of any platform on the market, but which are the best open-world games available through Steam, Epic Store, and other stores?

Updated November 5, 2024, by Hamza Haq: The feeling of immersing oneself in a living, breathing world where the player is free to roam as they please, stumble upon new areas, and uncover hidden secrets is only truly possible in an open-world setting. And since PC as a gaming platform has literally no barrier to entry for developers, both old and new, the selection of games in any genre is bigger on PC than on any console. Naturally, deciding which open-world PC games deserve the title of ‘best’ is not an easy decision to make, considering the sheer number of games on offer. The list has been updated to include the best open-world PC games to play in 2024.

17 Far Cry 5

Fight Fanatics In The American Wilderness

Released: March 27, 2018
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

Any of the last three main Far Cry games could have taken this spot, but the fifth entry gets the nod due to its recency and setting. Hope Country, which is inspired by Montana, is gorgeous but persistently deadly. It seems like barely a step can be taken in the game before stumbling on a group of Joseph Seed’s fanatics who will not hesitate to riddle the player with bullets.

Even though Far Cry 6 is out, it pales in comparison to the older title in almost every way. The FPS gameplay is satisfying, the open-world is fun to explore, and the characters are delightfully over-the-top.

Venom Snake’s Tactical Sandbox

Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain

Stealth

Action-Adventure

Shooter

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Released: September 1, 2015
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Kojima Productions took a different approach with the fifth main Metal Gear Solid game, opting for a large open-world that places a heavy emphasis on stealth. Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain features the best gameplay in the franchise, presenting Venom Snake with a wide plethora of tactics and tools that he can use to infiltrate camps. The world impresses in terms of scale, even if it is not especially packed with content. Conversely, the isolation and barren landscape complement the story and almost give the game a Western feel.

The Phantom Pain is quite different from its predecessors in the series, mainly due to the story taking a backseat to the gameplay; however, viewed on its own, this is one of the best open-world games on PC.

15 Genshin Impact

Explore The Fantasy Wonderland Of Teyvat

Genshin Impact Traveler sitting on cliff overlooking Mondstadt

Released: September 28, 2020
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

What started out as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild but with waifus has grown into an absolute phenomenon. With each new update, Genshin Impact proves that it deserves every ounce of recognition thrown its way, and the game is far from complete. Teyvat is a beautiful world soaked in lore, mysticism, and personality; there is just so much to do and see in this universe.

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Be it the mesmerizing Guyun Stone Forest or the picturesque Wangshu Inn, Genshin Impact offers variety in its (gorgeous) locations, all of which combine to create a world that demands to be experienced.

14 Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

War, Family, And Destiny In The Heart Of Greece

Released: October 15, 2018
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

There are few adventure games as visually appealing as Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. Around every nook and corner is eye candy that manifests in the game’s breathtaking open-world. The game takes place in the years 431–422 BCE during an ongoing battle between Sparta and Athens.

Players choose between playing as protagonists Alexios or Kassandra. Whoever someone picks, they will wind up engaging on both sides of the conflict as they struggle to bring their family together.

13 Death Stranding

A Cinematic Journey Across A Broken World

Sam Porter Bridges walks towards a river filled with rocks

Systems

Released: November 8, 2019
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

The best open-world games are some of the most cinematic in history. Director Hideo Kojima ensured that realism was a factor of the utmost importance when creating Death Stranding. There was a near-perfect recreation of Norman Reedus, who played Sam Porter Bridge in the game.

This story-intensive adventure proves that a game as expansive as Death Stranding can be engaging throughout. This game provides a unique experience, and it’s available on PC and PlayStation systems.

12 Cyberpunk 2077

Explore The Neon Lit Depths Of Night City

Released: December 10, 2020
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

While a controversial release on consoles, CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 fared much better on PC, although it still launched with its share of issues. Focusing solely on the positives, Cyberpunk 2077 offers a dense and exciting sandbox to explore, with Night City containing so many little touches that give it a sense of substance and realism. The story is strong, interesting, and expertly acted; it might not reach the heights of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt but few games do.

From Deus Ex to The Ascent, cyberpunk worlds are not unheard of in gaming, but Cyberpunk 2077 presents this setting at an unprecedented scale for the medium. Unsurprisingly for CD Projekt Red, the side quests are generally great, helping to breathe life into every corner and building in Night City.

11 Valheim

A Survival Sandbox Brimming With Mysteries

Systems

Released: February 2, 2021
Developer(s): Iron Gate AB
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

In early access, Valheim took the world by storm during the first few months of 2021. A sandbox game set in various biomes, Iron Gate Studio’s title challenges Vikings to survive and earn the right to enter Valhalla.

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A freeing game with very little in the way of narrative, at least presently, Valheim provides the tools to build shelter, hunt animals, and defeat enemies. There is also the option to team up with other Vikings. Valheim is certainly a work in progress, but the game has a lot to offer in its current state.

10 Fallout: New Vegas

Welcome To The Wasteland’s Wild Side

Released: October 19, 2010

It doesn’t contain the most beautiful open-world, yet Fallout: New Vegas proves that graphics aren’t everything. The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic future, shortly after the events of Fallout 3. Set in a region formerly known as Las Vegas, this game is situated in New Vegas.

The RPG elements are masterful. As a game that is backward compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, Fallout: New Vegas is one game nobody should miss. Fans of The Outer Worlds should make sure to check out Obsidian’s Fallout: New Vegas as it might just be the studio’s crowning achievement.

9 Horizon Series

Where Nature Meets Machine

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Horizon Forbidden West Complete Edition

Action-Adventure

Open-World

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Developer Guerilla Games ensured that significant detail was packed into Horizon Zero Dawn. The game is acclaimed for its open-world that is made up of different biomes. Horizon: Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds is the game’s only DLC, and it brings players to the Cut, a snowy region in the game north of Grave-Hoard.

Horizon Forbidden West continues the story directly after the events of Zero Dawn, introducing new threats, new machines, and a whole new area to explore far to the west of Nora lands Aloy calls home. Both Zero Dawn and Forbidden West started out as PlayStation exclusives and were ported to PC two years post-release. Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered is also available on PC, released on October 31, 2024.

8 Marvel’s Spider-Man

New York Awaits Its Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Action

Adventure

Open-World

Systems

Released: September 7, 2018
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Sony’s Marvel’s Spider-Man is what sparked the steady stream of PlayStation exclusives to PC, giving PC gamers a chance to experience one of the best PS5 games in recent memory. Luckily, it didn’t disappoint. Nixxes Software’s ability to deliver quality PC ports continues to impress.

Marvel’s Spider-Man follows a Peter Parker who has already come into his own as Spider-Man and is ready and able to save the residents of New York City from threats both supernatural and mundane. The map is entirely open-world, with stellar implementation of ray tracing, a solid storyline, and fast-paced punchy action that delivers on all fronts.

7 Forza Horizon 4 & 5

Speed Through Stunning Open-World Landscapes

Forza Horizon 5 Best Fast Cars With Great Handling

Systems

Released: November 9, 2021
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

RPGs and adventure titles often overshadow racing games, but they too can have scenic open-worlds. Forza Horizon 4 is the quintessential example of how to do an open-world racing game correctly. Although it’s more arcadey than the Forza Motorsport series, the gameplay emphasizes exploration in a breathtaking open-world set in and around Edinburgh in Scotland.

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Forza Horizon 5 is the newer and shinier version of FH4, with bells and whistles that were not there in the prequel. That said, it continues the same open-world format the Forza series is now known for and knocks it out of the park with incredible graphics, improved car handling, and a bigger roster of cars to drive. In terms of pure open-world chops, however, FH4 pulls ahead because of seasonal changes and a more diverse map, even though FH5’s world is objectively prettier.

6 Grand Theft Auto 5

The Urban Jungle Of Los Santos

Grand Theft Auto 5 - Games developed by RAGE

Released: September 17, 2013
Developer(s): Rockstar North
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Years after the game’s release, people are still finding reasons to return to Grand Theft Auto 5. Set in the massive State of San Andreas, the game contains perhaps the definitive modern open-world, one that builds upon the foundations of previous entries in Rockstar’s acclaimed franchise.

Los Santos is a fully realized sandbox, allowing GTA 5 to stand out as one of the most realistic open-world PC games to date. The view from the top of Mount Chiliad, the tallest peak in the game, is a sight to behold.

Magic, Dragons, And Boundless Exploration

Released: November 11, 2011
Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios
OpenCritic Rating: Strong

It wouldn’t be a complete open-world game discussion without the inclusion of an Elder Scrolls game. The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim might not be the best game in the series for everyone, but it’s hard to deny the beautifulness of its world.

Skyrim’s snowy region is especially gorgeous in The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim Special Edition, an enhanced version with remastered art. Even if someone is new to the RPG genre,The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim is a great place to start.

4 Ghost of Tsushima

A Breathtaking Samurai Saga

Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut

Action-Adventure

Open-World

Systems

Released: August 20, 2021
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Since its release on the PS4 in mid-2020, PC gamers have long waited for the definitive samurai open-world action RPG to be ported to the platform and were delighted to receive the PC version in May 2024. While Ghost of Tsushima was a delight to experience on the PlayStation, it shows its real potential on PC.

An absolutely gorgeous open world, with perhaps the best visuals in all of gaming, solid Samurai combat, and a compelling story, are what make Ghost of Tsushima special. The Director’s Cut on PC also includes the Iki island expansion, giving players an additional island to discover.

3 Red Dead Redemption 2

A Masterpiece of Immersive Storytelling In The Wild West

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Released: October 26, 2018
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterclass in open-world design. The game takes place in 1899 in the Midwestern, Western, and Southern United States. The places in Red Dead Redemption 2 are fictional but loosely based on real locations.

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Alan Wake 2, Half-life 2, and Red Dead Redemption 2 cover art

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This game can be played in both the third-person and first-person, providing more freedom than other open-world games. Red Dead Redemption 2‘s attention to detail is remarkable, making it one of PC’s best open-world adventures.

2 The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

An Open-World RPG That Redefines The Genre

Released: May 19, 2015
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

In regards to open-world design, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt might be the most impressive. Technically, the game has a semi open-world since loading screens separate regions, however, each area is massive enough to be a game of its own.

Whether someone likes the quest-packed lands of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, it’s hard to deny that it’s one of the proudest RPG accomplishments in years.

1 Elden Ring

Conquer The Lands Between

Released: February 25, 2022
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty

From Software have long been considered in a league of their own, and to say that the expectation for Elden Ring, their very first venture into the open-world genre, was sky-high would be an understatement. But boy, did they deliver. One of the reasons the Dark Souls formula worked so well is because of the denseness of the world, with new things to discover literally everywhere. While not to the same level, Elden Ring has that in spades.

The game offers players a vast world full of secrets to explore. Hundreds of unique pieces of weapons, armor, talismans, ashes of war, consumables, and key items dot the landscape, with no quest markers to guide the path and no direction to follow other than the vague golden glow emerging from the Sites of Grace. Its exploration distilled down to its most raw form, only interrupted by bouts of violence against the denizens of the Lands Between.